How the science of indoor environments is transforming our health, cognitive function, and well-being
Imagine this: you arrive at your office after a hectic commute, settle into your desk, and throughout the day notice something peculiar. By mid-morning, a colleague complains of a headache. Another feels unusually fatigued. You find it difficult to concentrate on complex tasks, and the stuffy air in the conference room makes everyone restless during afternoon meetings. While these symptoms might seem like normal workplace annoyances, what if the building itself was contributing to how everyone felt?
of our lives spent indoors
line of defense against respiratory diseases
The surprising reality is that we spend approximately 90% of our lives indoors—in homes, offices, schools, and other built environments 3 . Until recently, we largely overlooked how these spaces affect our health, well-being, and cognitive performance. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically shifted this perspective, revealing buildings as our first line of defense against respiratory infectious diseases and highlighting the critical importance of our indoor environments 1 .
This article explores the revolutionary science of healthy buildings—an emerging field that demonstrates how strategic design and operation of our built environments can become a powerful tool to advance health for everyone, not just a privileged few 2 . From groundbreaking research on cognitive function to innovative frameworks ensuring equitable access, we'll uncover how the spaces we inhabit daily hold untapped potential to transform our health, productivity, and quality of life.
At its core, a healthy building is a structure deliberately designed, constructed, and maintained to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of its occupants 8 . While this might bring to mind cutting-edge architecture or futuristic technology, the foundations of building health are often surprisingly practical.
The ability to bring in fresh outdoor air and remove polluted indoor air
Managing pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM)
Ensuring clean, safe water through regular testing and purification
Maintaining comfortable temperature and humidity levels
Controlling allergens and contaminants through proper cleaning and maintenance
Providing access to natural light and exterior views
Protecting against distracting outdoor noise and minimizing indoor background noise
Controlling humidity and preventing mold growth
Implementing measures that ensure physical safety
What defines a healthy building?
What forces drive their development?
What standards and certifications direct them?
What technical measures implement them?
This comprehensive approach moves beyond simply checking boxes on a list of features and instead considers how buildings can dynamically support human health across their entire lifecycle 3 6 .
One of the most compelling demonstrations of the healthy building concept comes from the COGfx (Cognitive Function) study conducted by researchers at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health 8 . This groundbreaking investigation set out to answer a critical question: Can the quality of our indoor environments directly impact how we think?
Simulated office spaces where environmental conditions could be precisely manipulated
Office workers recruited to spend multiple days in controlled environments
Standardized assessments measuring reaction time, decision-making, and crisis response
Extensive data on environmental conditions and cognitive scores
The findings from the COGfx study revealed dramatic differences in cognitive performance across various environmental conditions. The results demonstrated that our indoor environments aren't just background settings—they actively shape our mental capabilities.
"Perhaps most surprisingly, the research found that moderate increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels—previously considered harmless—directly impaired decision-making performance 8 . This finding alone has revolutionary implications for how we design and operate buildings, suggesting that even small investments in better ventilation can yield significant returns in cognitive performance."
The cognitive benefits revealed by the COGfx study translate into tangible economic advantages. Tools like the Healthy Buildings and Energy Support Tool (H-BEST) developed by the Department of Energy help quantify these benefits, showing how improved indoor environmental quality can lead to financial gains through increased productivity and reduced absenteeism 4 7 .
Productivity Gain
Reduction in Absenteeism
$2,500 - $4,000
Annual Value per Employee
Productivity Gain
Reduction in Absenteeism
$6,000 - $10,000
Annual Value per Employee
"Buildings represent one of the greatest public health opportunities of this century" - Joseph Allen, Director of the Harvard Healthy Buildings Program 1 .
The field of healthy buildings research relies on sophisticated tools and methodologies to measure, analyze, and improve indoor environments. These "research reagents" allow scientists to transform abstract concepts into actionable insights.
Collect subjective well-being and comfort data to correlate physical measurements with human experience 4 .
Measure mental performance across multiple domains to quantify impacts of environmental conditions 8 .
Standardize and validate healthy building features with consistent metrics (WELL, LEED, BREEAM) 5 .
These tools enable researchers to move beyond anecdotal evidence and build a compelling scientific case for healthy buildings—one that speaks to architects, building owners, policymakers, and the general public.
Perhaps the most crucial evolution in healthy buildings thinking is the growing emphasis on equity and accessibility. As the research advances, a critical question emerges: Will the benefits of healthy buildings be available only to those who can afford luxury offices and high-end homes, or can they become the standard for everyone?
The Harvard Healthy Buildings Program directly addresses this concern, stating: "We must ensure that a future of healthy buildings benefits everyone, not just a select few. A future of healthy buildings confined to a select few would be a gross failing" 1 2 . This commitment to equity recognizes that vulnerable populations—including low-income communities, children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions—often face the greatest burden from substandard indoor environments 1 .
Researchers are working with policymakers to translate healthy buildings research into regulations and guidelines that protect all occupants 2 .
Developing cost-effective strategies that make healthy building principles accessible across economic sectors.
Providing direct guidance and resources to communities facing environmental challenges, particularly during natural disasters and public health crises 2 .
Expanding research beyond commercial offices to include schools, public housing, healthcare facilities, and other spaces that serve broad populations 1 .
This equity-focused approach aligns healthy buildings with broader global initiatives, including the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing that human health, environmental sustainability, and social equity are deeply interconnected 2 .
The science of healthy buildings represents a fundamental shift in how we relate to our built environments. No longer merely shelters from the elements, buildings are emerging as dynamic tools that can actively support our health, enhance our cognitive abilities, and protect our well-being. From the nine foundational elements of building health to the striking findings of the COGfx study, the evidence is clear: the spaces we inhabit matter profoundly for how we feel, think, and function.
As research continues to evolve—exploring life-cycle impacts, improving standard systems, and integrating multidisciplinary approaches—the potential of healthy buildings continues to grow 3 6 . The challenge ahead lies not in answering whether healthy buildings work, but in ensuring their benefits reach everyone, everywhere.
The next time you enter a building and notice how you feel—the air you breathe, the light that surrounds you, the comfort you experience—remember that these elements aren't incidental. They're part of a revolutionary understanding that our built environment and our health are inseparable. By harnessing this knowledge, we can create spaces that don't just house us, but help us thrive—advancing health for all, one room, one building, one community at a time.